A massive blaze broke out at the site within a couple of minutes of the explosion, which rocked houses in nearby streets.

Two teenage brothers, Shane Ragoobeer, 18, and brother Sean, 17, who lived in the flat above the destroyed Zabka store in Hinckley Road with their parents and younger brother, both died in the tragedy.

Melton 18-year-old Leah Beth Reek, who was Shane's girlfriend, has also been confirmed as a victim.

Viktorija Ijevleva, 22, of Oldham, is also one of the deceased. She was believed to be working in the shop at the time of the blast.

The remaining missing person is Mary Ragoobeer, 46, Shane and Sean's mum. She is believed to be the fifth fatality, but that is yet to be confirmed.

Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Three have been charged with five counts of manslaughter and arson with intent to endanger life.

The other three people are still being questioned.

We've launched our very own app for Android and Apple devices which can be tailored to deliver the news and sport that you're interested in.

In the wake of the explosion, Kurd told reporters that he was in the shop when the incident happened.

The 33-year-old, of Hillary Place, said: “It was a big noise. I found myself up and then to the floor, for two or three minutes I couldn’t feel anything, I was looking up, my eyes were open.

“I managed to pull himself from the rubble and climbed into the neighbouring garden.”

Of the Ragoobeer family who lived in the flat above the shop, he said: “Sometimes they would come into my shop.

“I don’t know what happened to them as well. They are good people. I have not heard about them. “I feel sorry for those people who lost their lives.

“I don’t know if they are kids or young. I don’t know who’s dead. “Forget about the money, the most important [thing] is life.”

21:46KEY EVENT

3 men charged with manslaughter

Three men who were arrested on Wednesday 28 in connection with the tragedy have today been charged with five counts of manslaughter and with arson with intent to endanger life.

They will be held in custody during the weekend and will appear before Leicester Magistrates on Monday.

They are:

Aram Kurd, 33, of Hillary Place, Leicester

Hawkar Hassan, 32, of Eld Road, Coventry (originally thought to be from East Anglia)

Arkan Ali, 37, of Drake Close, Oldham

Two other men, both from East Anglia and who were arrested yesterday, remain in police custody and continue to be questioned by detectives.

15:40

Leicester City fans acknowledge victims

Leicester City fans acknowledged the victims of the tragedy with a rousing round of applause during the 17th minute of today’s match against Bournemouth.

Leicester City flags before the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium

10:33

Call for minute of applause at today's Leicester City match

Leicester City fans are being urged to take part in a stadium-filling round of applause today in memory of the victims of the explosion in Hinckley Road.

The 3pm kick-off against Bournemouth is being played at home, and friends of football-mad 17-year-old Sean Ragoobeer have asked spectators to clap in the 17th minute.

A Twitter post by Daniel Bennett, which is spreading rapidly, reads: “On 25th February, the city lost a deeply loved and popular family in the Hinckley Road explosion.

“Among this beautiful family, was our best friend Sean Ragoobeer, a true football fan.

“Throughout his tragically short life of just 17 years, he attended many Leicester games with his friends, and more recently his girlfriend.

“Sean made many special memories through football and formed incredible friendships.

“We would kindly ask all fans to show their support and respect for the family by holding a moments applause on the 17th minute against Bournemouth this Saturday.”

City forward and England international Jamie Vardy and his wife Rebekah have both shared the message.

After this, another friend of Sean’s wrote: “It’s so heart warming to see Jamie Vardy and Rebekah Vardy trying their very best to get this minute applause for my best mate and his family. All I can say is thank you. I love this city and all my friends. We’re so strong.”

17:21

How long can police question trio?

Three men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the fatal Leicester explosion must be charged or released by police by late Sunday afternoon.

Officers from Leicestershire Police have been questioning the trio, who are all in there 30s, in recent days and have been granted the right to detain and question them for 96 hours without charge.

Having arrested them late on Wednesday afternoon, this means if officers wish to quiz them longer than the Sunday evening they will have to charge them.

If not the men will have to be released once the 96 hours runs out.

The men are from East Anglia, the North West of the country, and the East Midlands.

A statement from the force reads: “Specialist officers and experts from other agencies are continuing their painstaking work at the scene this morning, sifting through and examining the rubble in the search for clues.

“It will be several more days until this work is completed. Until then, the area near the scene must remain cordoned off.

“It is likely that the immediate area surrounding the scene will remain cordoned off for a number of weeks, while safety work is carried out.”

'Another day in the cold'

Chief Constable Simon Cole says teams are still out searching in the cold.

He has praised them for being ‘positive, professional and dignified’.

10:14

Police appealing for witnesses

Police are appealing for witnesses to the fatal explosion

Leicestershire Police wants to hear from anyone who was near the shop and flat in Hinckley Road, which were destroyed by the blast.

Detective Inspector Michelle Keen said: “Our enquiries have established that there were a number of people in the area of the supermarket in the hour leading up to, and in the minutes after, the explosion.

“I want to hear from anyone who was near the supermarket at the time and who, thinking back, remembers seeing something that they thought may have been suspicious.”

"Police officers ran towards the scene of the explosion"

Leicestershire Police Federation chair Tiff Lynch has expressed her sympathies to the families of the people who died in the Sunday evening explosion.

She said: “Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragic incident. We send our condolences to the families and friends of those who died and hope that those who are being treated in hospital make a full recovery.”

The Federation chair has praised all those officers who rushed to the scene to deal with the immediate aftermath of the explosion and those who are continuing to support the search operation.

Tiffany Lynch, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation

She added: “Police officers ran towards the scene of the explosion, potentially putting their own safety at risk so that they could help those directly affected by the incident and also nearby residents and passers-by.

“The brave actions of these officers should not be under-estimated. Working in partnership with colleagues in the fire, ambulance and rescue services, they worked in extremely difficult circumstances to support the communities they serve.

“I understand a number of members of the public also did all they could to help those caught up in the blast and I commend their selfless acts too.”

12:44

Police searching home of shop owner

Police are searching the home of the owner of a shop which was destroyed in the Leicester explosion on Sunday.

Officers have been at the house in Hillary Place, Braunstone since 4pm yesterday afternoon.

How long can police hold arrested men?

Police continue to question the three men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

When someone is arrested, police are giving 24 hours to question them, but can apply to have that extended.

The government’s website says: “The police can hold you for up to 24 hours before they have to charge you with a crime or release you.

“They can apply to hold you for up to 36 or 96 hours if you’re suspected of a serious crime, eg murder.”

10:52

Rest centre still offering support

The rest centre is still open near the scene in Hinckley Road today.

Volunteers are in the rest centre today if you need to talk they are there to assist you

10:14

Latest comment from Bishop of Leicester

The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, has released another statement on the Hinckley Road incident.

He said: “Along with everyone in Leicester, I continue to be deeply saddened by the tragic events of Sunday night.

“I have visited the area and spoken to some of those affected and have seen for myself the way the community have pulled together and are offering support and practical help and care to one another.

The Right Reverend Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester.

“In view of the announcement that there have been three arrests, I would want to strongly echo the statement issued by the police and urge people to avoid speculation about the cause of the explosion or those arrested.

“The people of Hinckley Road continue to be in my prayers and all of our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones or been affected in any way by this tragedy.”

09:46

Beat surgeries cancelled

Police in the city have cancelled their beat surgeries for today.

They said: “Due to extra demand for the incident on Hinckley Road the beat surgeries planned today have had to be cancelled on the city area.”

07:41

Emergency services still working in the cold

At the scene of the explosion in Hinckley Road, emergency services are still working hard, despite the weather.

Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole has praised the work of the dedicated men and women.

He said: “We should be very proud of them all.”

19:38

3 people arrested

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after Sunday night’s explosion in Leicester.

Those arrested have not been named but they are all men in their 30s and police said they were arrested this afternoon and were being questioned by detectives.

Leicestershire Police said in a statement: “One man comes from East Anglia, the second from the North West of the country, and the third from the East Midlands.

“No further details will be released about these individuals at this stage.”

Hinckley Road remains screened off to allow the emergency services to work.

11:55

'Greatly loved' sixth form student missing

Sean Ragoobeer is one of five people missing after the blast

Sean Ragoobeer, 17, is one of five still missing after the incident, along with his mother Mary, brother Shane, 18, Shane’s girlfriend Leah Reek, 18, and 22-year-old Polish shop worker Viktorija Ljevleva.

Messages about the teenager have spread on social media, by people who love him “indescribable amounts”